Extractive activity and lithotechnique characteristics of Pseudomacigno Apuano [Attività estrattive e caratteristiche litotecniche dello Pseudomacigno apuano]

In the Southern Alpi Apuane metasandstones of the "Pseudomacigno" formation are exploited. Up to some years ago the black slates called " Ardesia Apuana" (Apuan Slate) are used for roof covering and for local buildings. The production of each quarry is not comparable with the marble quantities of Carrara and other apuan quarries, however the quantity of Cardoso Stone is interesting for the national request for building and ornamental. In this work are presented new quarrying activity and litotecnichal data for the "Pseudomacigno" in the Cardoso and Stazzema area, with preliminary stratigraphic observations about carbonatic levels in the black metamorphic slates, previously not observed.